The Hawaiian archipelago was formed by volcanic activity, and many of the state's volcanoes remain active. The Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island glows under a starry sky. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is one of seven national parks in the state and one of the most popular. It's one of the few places in the world where you can witness volcanic action firsthand. Tor Johnson, Hawaii Tourism Authority

Hawaii's volcanic geology means that many of the island's beaches are covered in black sand. Punaluu Black Sand Beach on Hawaii's Kua coast is one of the most famous. Tor Johnson, Hawaii Tourism Authority

Haleakala National Park on the island of Maui is home to the island's highest peak of the same name, jutting 10,023 feet above sea level. Many visitors wake up early to catch a sunset from the summit of the volcanic peak. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Kauai, the oldest of Hawaii's main islands, is a land of lush valleys, soaring cliffs and cascading waterfalls. Manawaiopuna Falls, one of the most spectacular, is typically reached by helicopter. Getty Images/Zoonar RF

Hawaii isn't typically associated with snow, but when you head to the top of Mauna Kea -- the world's tallest mountain if measured from the ocean floor -- you might find some. It's home to the world's biggest telescope and is a favorite locale among star gazers. Getty Images/iStockphoto

The island of Lanai remains one of Hawaii's most pristine inhabited islands -- home to some of the state's best beaches and natural scenery, like the Kaholo Cliffs. Pierce M Myers Photography/Hawaii Tourism Authority

Not all of Hawaii's activities involve the water. The Kalalau trail on Kauai often ranks among the world's most beautiful hiking trails, but it's also one of the most dangerous. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Those who brave the 11-mile Kalalau trail beginning at Kee Beach (pictured), with its crumbly trail bed and sheer drop-offs, are rewarded with the chance to experience one of the state's most remote stretches of sand, Kalalua Beach. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Hawaii is one of the nation's most multicultural states. The state's Asian heritage can be seen at The Great Buddha statue at Lahaina on Maui -- the largest Buddha statue of its kind outside of Japan. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Kohola is the Hawaiian word for humpback whale, and an estimated two thirds of the Northern Pacific humpback whale population come to the waters of Hawaii to breed and raise their young. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Even when it's not whale season, the waters off Hawaii's islands teem with life. Some of the state's best diving and snorkeling can be found in Molokini crater, a crescent-shaped marine sanctuary off the coast of Maui. Getty Images

The seven-mile-long stretch of sand known as Polihale sits within Polihale State Park on the island of Kauai. Journeying to the beach via a bumpy dirt road is worth it for the sunset views alone. Flickr/Justin Ornellas

Hawaii Island, also called the Big Island, is the state's youngest, largest and still-growing island. On this island, you can laze on a beach and walk through the snow in a single day. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Anyone who's seen the hit TV series "Lost" will recognize Mokuleia Beach Park in North Shore, Oahu. The beaches here are remote enough that you could easily spend a day without seeing another human being. Getty Images/iStockphoto

For a road trip, island-style, hop in the car, turn on some tunes and drive the road to Hana -- a three hour drive from from Lahaina or Kihei with plenty to see and do along the way. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Surfing is believed to have originated in Polynesia and was once a sport of only Hawaiian royalty. Today, surfers from around the globe come to catch Hawaii's world-class waves. Kirk Lee Aeder, Hawaii Tourism Authority

Hawaii's cultural history dates back centuries, and you can learn about it at sites like Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site, a once sacred place of worship for native Hawaiians. Tor Johnson, Hawaii Tourism Authority

The Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park was the site of first significant contact between native Hawaiians and Westerners. Here, visitors can see kii, sacred carvings of deities or ancestral spirits. Tor Johnson, Hawaii Tourism Authority

Visiting Molokai is like stepping back in time. One of the island's most charming experiences occurs each Friday night when the island's elders gather for an evening of live music and hula at Hotel Molokai. Dana Edmunds, Hawaii Tourism Authority

Parts of Lanai Island, like Keahiakawelo, have an almost lunar landscape, in contrast to Hawaii's typically lush terrain. Which picture most makes you want to travel to Hawaii? Dana Edmunds, Hawaii Tourism Authority

There’s no wrong choice when it comes to deciding which Hawaiian island to visit. They’re all naturally beautiful, they all have gorgeous beaches, and they all welcome visitors with the gentle “aloha” spirit for which the islands are known. But there are important differences from one island to the next — and while there’s no such thing as a single best island in Hawaii, there may be a best island for you.

The best island in Hawaii depends on your passions. Are you into food? Adventure? Hiking? Beaches? There are six Hawaiian islands open to visitors, and each one offers something unique.

Luckily, you don’t have to choose just one. Most flights from the mainland U.S. land in Oahu, but frequent service from Hawaiian Airlines makes it easy to fly to other islands in the chain. You can also visit four different islands in seven days with Norwegian Cruise Line, allowing you to sample the best of Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island.

Oahu

About 1.4 million people live in Hawaii, and you’ll find the bulk of them on Oahu. The capital city, Honolulu, is home to the best high-end shopping, fine dining, and nightlife in the islands. Waikiki is the heart of the action, where you can hit the beach, snag a new pair of Gucci sunglasses, and sample chef Roy Yamaguchi’s Japanese/Hawaiian fusion cuisine all in the same day.

But Oahu has its quieter sides, too. Get outside of Honolulu and you’ll discover the laid-back surf towns of the North Shore and the lush green mountains of the windward (east) coast. Movie buffs and adventurers should stop at Kualoa Ranch, where you can go horseback riding, take an ATV tour, or check out the filming locations for dozens of movies including "Jurassic Park" and "50 First Dates."

Best for: Shoppers, foodies, city lovers, and those who like a mix of action and relaxation. Oahu is also probably the best island in Hawaii for travelers on a budget, as you don’t have to spend extra on inter-island airfare, and the wide choice of hotels and vacation rentals means it’s easier to find a reasonably priced place to sleep.

Where to stay: For the ultimate in luxury, stay at the Ritz-Carlton Residences in Waikiki. The flawless service, spacious digs, and eighth-floor infinity pool with views of Waikiki Bay more than compensate for the 10-minute walk to the beach. A more affordable and family-friendly option is the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort, which has two towers right on the beach as well as a vast outdoor complex including a saltwater lagoon, waterslides and five swimming pools.

With about 700,000 visitors annually, the 42-acre PCC is one of Hawaii’s most popular attractions. Its staff of 1,400 includes 250 full-timers, who known as “mentors.” The rest are part-time employees, 900 of whom are college students. Polynesian Cultural Center

According to Alfred Grace, president of the PCC, the mentors are “curators and responsible for perpetuating, preserving, and portraying the culture of Polynesia. They [ensure the] cultural authenticity of their villages.” Polynesian Cultural Center

If you choose Pounders or any of the PCC’s other dining options for dinner, you would miss the luau’s show. Most of the same kinds of performances, however, are incorporated into “Ha: Breath of Life,” a show that is included with all of the center’s ticket packages. Polynesian Cultural Center

, from hiking and biking to snorkeling and surfing. You can get a taste of many of these attractions along the rugged Road to Hana, one of the most gorgeous drives on the planet.

If all you want to do during your vacation is lie on a beach and relax, you can do so in popular resort areas like Kaanapali and Wailea. But more active travelers will find endless things to do in Maui. Head to Haleakala National Park to watch the sun rise from the summit of a volcano and then take an exhilarating 26-mile bike ride back down to the base. Go snorkeling among sea turtles and lava arches off the small island of Molokini. Come in the winter months to see migrating humpback whales. Or visit Maui’s many farms and plantations to sample local specialties like coffee, dragon fruit and chocolate. (Many of these ingredients make it into farm-to-table cuisine around the island.)

Where to stay: Hotel Wailea is an ultra-luxe, adults-only resort featuring 72 beautifully designed suites with ocean or garden views; it’s the perfect spot for a secluded honeymoon. Or book yourself a beachfront condo at Maui Kai, where family-friendly units include kitchenettes and on-site laundry is available.

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Haleakalā means “House of the Sun,” and with its summit at 10,023 feet above sea level, there isn’t a better place on the island to see the orange sphere in the sky up close and personal. National park Service

Driving to the summit of Haleakalā can take between 2.5 and 3.5 hours, depending upon which part of the island you're leaving from. The entrance station to the park is at 7,000 feet, and the summit is another 3,023 feet upwards at 10,023 feet. National Park Service

One of the most popular times to visit the summit at Haleakalā National Park is for sunrise. The scene is spectacular, and well worth getting up long before dawn to make the trek. National Park Service

This plant is found only at the summit, and can live anywhere between three and 90 years or more. As always, Leave No Trace when visiting the park to ensure that these species continue to thrive in their natural environments. Susan B. Barnes

Though the summit may be the most popular destination for those who visit Haleakalā National Park, there’s a coastal side of the park, too - the Kīpahulu District is 12 miles past the town of Hāna on the Hāna Highway. J. Frost, National Park Service

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Put all the other Hawaiian islands together and they’re still only about half the size of the Big Island. Nor can they match the Big Island’s sheer natural diversity. As you travel around the island, you’ll see not only the landscapes you’d expect to see in Hawaii — black- and white-sand beaches, golf courses, fertile jungle valleys, waterfalls — but also a green-sand beach (Papakolea), stark black lava fields, and even a little snow.

This varied terrain means there’s plenty to do on the Big Island for any visitor, even with its most famous attraction, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, mostly off limits at the moment. Try stargazing from Maunakea, the island’s highest peak, where you’ll see that aforementioned snow. Near Kona you can relax on the beach or go snorkeling at night with manta rays, while the Hilo area is known for rainforest hikes, botanical gardens and waterfalls. The Big Island is also a good spot to see Hawaiian green sea turtles, especially along the Kohala Coast.

Best for: Animal lovers, golfers and outdoorsy travelers. The Big Island is also the best island in Hawaii for those seeking a variety of climates and landscapes on their vacation.

Where to stay: The Fairmont Orchid sprawls over 32 oceanfront acres in the northwestern part of the Big Island. Thanks to its large swimming pool, tennis courts, fitness center and “spa without walls,” you may never leave the resort. If a B&B is more your speed, try Honu Kai, a friendly tropical oasis with just four airy suites.

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USA TODAY asked the American Institute of Architects to help identify 25 great buildings in every state. Here are Hawaii's, as chosen by AIA Honolulu. Built in 1929, the Alexander and Baldwin Building in Honolulu is a four-story building constructed of steel with concrete casings. The most dominant feature is the high double pitch, with wide overhangs, tile roof which features exposed rafters. The Alexander and Baldwin Building is significant for its association with the Alexander and Baldwin corporation which has played an important role in the economic development of Hawaiʻi. The building is also significant as an example of architecture that combines Asian and Western designs adapted to the Hawaiian climate designed by C.W. Dickey and Hart Wood. Andrea Brizzi

Bishop Museum's Hawaiian Hall Complex in Honolulu, a rare example of late-Victorian museum design, was built in three phases from 1888 to 1903 to house the collection of Hawaiian artifacts and royal heirlooms bequeathed to Charles Reed Bishop by his wife Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. A recent restortion by Mason Architects highlighted the historic integrity of the buildings while elevating the contemporary museum standards by resolving issues of climate control, lighting, access, and fire protection. https://www.bishopmuseum.org/ Daniel Ramirez

The Honolulu Museum of Art is the largest of its kind in the state, and was founded in 1922 by Anna Rice Cooke. The museum has one of the largest single collections of Asian and Pan-Pacific art in the United States, and since its official opening on April 8, 1927, its collections have grown to more than 50,000 works of art. Cooke hired New York architect Bertram Goodhue to design the plans for the museum, but he died before the project was completed. Goodhue’s colleague, Hardie Phillip finished the job. The museum's revival mission style has been imitated in many buildings throughout the state. https://honolulumuseum.org/ Andrea Brizzi

Shangri La is the name of an Islamic-style mansion built by heiress Doris Duke near Diamond Head. Completed in 1938, Shangri La is now a museum for learning about the global culture of Islamic art and design through exhibitions, digital and educational initiatives, public tours and programs, and community partnerships. Architect Marion Sims Wyeth and supervising architect H. Drewry Baker were the primary designers of the 4.9-acre property and its three buildings. http://www.shangrilahawaii.org/ Daderot

The Aloha Tower at the edge of Honolulu Harbor, is a lighthouse which has and continues to be a guiding beacon welcoming vessels to the City and County of Honolulu since 1926. At 10 stories and 184 feet of height topped with 40 feet of flag mast, for four decades the Aloha Tower was the tallest structure in Hawaiʻi. It was built in the Hawaiian Gothic architectural style and designed by architect Arthur L. Reynolds. Andrea Brizzi

Located in downtown Honolulu, the Hawaii State Capitol was commissioned and dedicated by John A. Burns, second Governor of Hawaii. Opened on March 15, 1969, the building is an American adaptation of the Hakonya style termed "Hawaiian international architecture". It was designed by a partnership between the firms of Belt, Lemon and Lo (AHL), and John Carl Warnecke and Associates. Unlike other state capitols modeled after the United States Capitol, the Hawaii State Capitol's distinct architectural features symbolize various natural aspects of Hawaiʻi. Andrea Brizzi

Located in downtown Honolulu, the Hawaii State Capitol was commissioned and dedicated by John A. Burns, second Governor of Hawaii. Opened on March 15, 1969, the building is an American adaptation of the Hakonya style termed "Hawaiian international architecture". It was designed by a partnership between the firms of Belt, Lemon and Lo (AHL), and John Carl Warnecke and Associates. Unlike other state capitols modeled after the United States Capitol, the Hawaii State Capitol's distinct architectural features symbolize various natural aspects of Hawaiʻi. Andrea Brizzi

The ʻIolani Palace in Honolulu features a unique style known as American Florentine. The ʻIolani Palace was the royal residence of the rulers of the Kingdom of Hawaii. Completed in 1882 the palace was the work of architects, Thomas J. Baker, Charles J. Wall, and Isaac Moore. It is now a National Historic Landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The palace was restored and opened to the public as a museum in 1978. Andrea Brizzi

The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (informally known as Punchbowl Cemetery) is a national cemetery located at Punchbowl Crater in Honolulu. It serves as a memorial to honor those men and women who served in the United States Armed Forces, and those who have given their lives in doing so. It is administered by the National Cemetery Administration of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Ki Concepts and Architects Hawaii, Ltd. designed a new two-story hillside public information center that includes the cemetery’s offices and Honor Guard Room. Andrea Brizzi

The USS Arizona Memorial, at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu marks the resting place of 1,102 of the 1,177 sailors and Marines killed on USS Arizona during the Japanese surprise attack at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 and commemorates the events of that day. The memorial, built in 1962, is visited by more than two million people annually. Accessible only by boat, it straddles the sunken hull of the battleship without touching it. The national memorial was designed by Honolulu architects Alfred Preis and Vladimar Ossipoff and engineer Alfred A. Yee. PH1 William R. Goodwin, U.S. Navy photographer

Designed by architect Vladimir Ossipoff for the IBM corporation in Honolulu in 1962, this iconic structure now houses the Howard Hughes Hawai'i offices, a Ward Village Master Plan Information Center as well as showrooms for future Ward Village projects. With its unique cement facade—known architecturally as a brise-soleil — which is used to minimize an onslaught of sunlight from entering the space and deter nesting birds, the building is an homage to IBM's rich technological achievements and was built to resemble a computer punched card. Andrea Brizzi

The McCoy Pavilion in Ala Moana Park in Honolulu was completed in 1975, and designed by Charles J. W. Chamberlain. The pavilion was named after the Honolulu Park Board's first Chairman, Charles Lester McCoy, who greatly influenced the design of Honolulu parks in the 1930's. AIA Honolulu

Built in the late 19th century as the first hotel in Waikiki, the Moana Hotel opened in 1901 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Designed by architect Oliver G. Traphagen, the Moana's architecture was influenced by European styles popular at the time, with Ionic columns and intricate woodwork and plaster detailing throughout the building. Design features of the original structure that survive to this day include extra-wide hallways, high ceilings, and cross-ventilation windows (to cool the rooms prior to air conditioning). The building is currently part of the resort complex known as Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa. Andrea Brizzi

The YWCA Building in Honolulu, officially named Laniākea, was designed by San Francisco architect Julia Morgan, first female recipient of the AIA’s Gold Medal. The building, designed in the Beaux-Arts style, was opened in 1927 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978 as a contributing property within the Hawaii Capital Historic District. Andrea Brizzi

Completed in 1958 and featuring one of the earliest and most artful uses of sunscreens in Hawaiʻi, the Honolulu Board of Water Supply Building smoothly blends a multiethnic architectural vocabulary with a modern grammar. Designed by Hart Wood, of the firm Wood, Weed and Kubota, but not built until several years later, it stands as one of Honolulu's finest modernist buildings. The Chinese fret-work of the sunscreens melds effortlessly with the Japanese portico and the Hawaiian motto, “Uwē ka lani, ola ka honua” (“When the heavens weep, the earth lives”), a celebration of Hawaii's multicultural society. Andrea Brizzi

Honolulu architects Walter Emory and Marshall Webb employed elements of Neoclassical architecture for the exterior of the Hawaii Theater—with Byzantine, Corinthian, and Moorish ornamentation—and a rich panoply of Beaux-Arts architecture inside—Corinthian columns, a gilded dome, marble statuary, an art gallery, plush carpets, silk hangings, and a Lionel Walden mural above the proscenium. Built in 1922, the theatre originally had a simple exterior canopy with a small reader board listing the attractions, and a vertical sign lit by light bulbs. In 1938, a large, new marquee was installed with the largest neon display in the islands. Andrea Brizzi

Hānaiakamalama or Queen Emma Summer Palace, served as a retreat for Queen Emma of Hawaiʻi. The frame of the home was built in Boston, in 1848, and shipped to Hawaiʻi via Cape Horn. It was then assembled on a property purchased by John Lewis from the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi. It is a now a historic landmark, museum, and tourist site outside of downtown Honolulu. The museum is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and is maintained with entrance fees, revenue from the gift shop, and other funds raised by the Daughters of Hawaiʻi. Andrea Brizzi

Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park is a United States National Historical Park located on the west coast of the island of Hawaiʻi. The historical park preserves the site where, up until the early 19th century, Hawaiians who broke a kapu (one of the ancient laws) could avoid certain death by fleeing to this place of refuge or puʻuhonua. The park includes the puʻuhonua and a complex of archeological sites including: temple platforms, royal fishponds, sledding tracks, and some coastal village sites. The Hale o Keawe temple and several thatched structures have been reconstructed. AIA Honolulu

Saint Benedict's Roman Catholic Church, or The Painted Church as it is commonly known, was built between 1899-1902 under the direction of the Belgian Catholic missionary Father John Velghe, who then painted frescoes along the interior ceiling and walls. St. Benedict's continues to be an active Roman Catholic church in the Diocese of Honolulu, vicariate of West Hawaii, holding five masses per week. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is open to the public for viewing seven days a week. AIA Honolulu

Hulihe’e Palace was originally built out of lava rock by John Adams Kuakini (governor of the island of Hawaiʻi) in 1838 during the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi and served as the vacation home of Hawaiian royalty. In 1927 the Daughters of Hawaiʻi, a group dedicated to preserving the cultural legacy of the Hawaiian Islands, restored Huliheʻe Palace and turned it into a museum. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places listings on the island of Hawaiʻi in 1973. Ken Lund

Mokuaikaua Church, located on the "Big Island" of Hawaiʻi, is the oldest Christian church in the Hawaiian Islands. The congregation dates to 1820 and the building was completed in 1837. After several fires, the present stone structure was constructed, partially from stones recycled from a nearby Heiau (ancient temple of the Hawaiian religion), from about 1835 to 1837. The interior is decorated with Koa wood. W. Nowicki

The firm of Skidmore Owings Merrill and architect Edward Charles Bassett designed The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel in the modern style featuring an open-air design that allows natural ventilation from the trade winds. Opened in 1965, the hotel was named Mauna Kea Beach Hotel for the mountain Mauna Kea which is visible above the bay when not obscured by clouds. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) awarded the hotel an Honor Award in 1967 citing its "restrained detailing and fine spatial sequences." In 2007, the hotel received honors again from the AIA as it made the top 150 of its "America's Favorite Architecture" list. AIA Honolulu

Designed by John Hara & Associates, the Maui Arts & Cultural Center opened in 1994 as the culmination of a long-standing dream of Maui’s residents to build a world-class gathering place for the arts. Familiarly known as "The MACC," this center has been described by The Maui News as “the artistic and educational heart of an entire community” and “Maui’s entertainment and arts crown jewel.” The complex houses a 1,200 seat theater, 300-seat theater, museum-quality art galleries, a restaurant, performance courtyard, classrooms, offices, shops, and rehearsal spaces for children's and community theatre groups. AIA Honolulu

Designed by John Hara & Associates, the Maui Arts & Cultural Center opened in 1994 as the culmination of a long-standing dream of Maui’s residents to build a world-class gathering place for the arts. Familiarly known as "The MACC," this center has been described by The Maui News as “the artistic and educational heart of an entire community” and “Maui’s entertainment and arts crown jewel.” The complex houses a 1,200 seat theater, 300-seat theater, museum-quality art galleries, a restaurant, performance courtyard, classrooms, offices, shops, and rehearsal spaces for children's and community theatre groups. AIA Honolulu

Architect John Rattenbury designed the King Kamehameha Golf Course Clubhouse based on unbuilt and unused Frank Lloyd Wright designs adapted for a golf clubhouse. Completed in 1993, the building is split into three levels with two-thirds of the structure underground, with a total area of 74,778 square feet. Copper fascia surrounds the domed roofs of the building which fits into the landscape of the West Maui Mountains behind it and the golf course bunkers in front. AIA Honolulu

In 1864, George Norton Wilcox took over the lease for Grove Farms and became its sole owner. As the plantation expanded, he built and furnished the group of structures which faced a large yard enclosed by stone walls: the plantation office, sleeping quarters, a guest cottage, a more spacious addition to the main house, and a camp for plantation workers. The homestead was the heart of day-to-day plantation operations until the early 1930's. The one-story portion of the G.N. Wilcox family home was constructed in 1854 by architect Charles William Dickey for one of the founders of the adjacent Lihue Plantation. Its hipped roof, building materials, and lanais express an architectural marriage of traditional Hawaiian house forms and western building tradition. The two-story Colonial Revival portion added by Wilcox in 1915 was designed by noted Honolulu architect Clinton B. Ripley. Joel Bradshaw

St. Philomena Church was built at the Kalaupapa Leprosy Settlement on Molokai between 1872 and 1889. The initial church was constructed in 1872 by the Hansen’s disease patients living at Kalaupapa. Father Damien arrived in Kalawao in 1873 and helped expand the church twice. The original 1872 church was integrated into the expanded section and can be seen in the photos. The work on the church’s second expansion finished the year after his death. Jack Boucher

As you drive past mile after mile of lush foliage in every imaginable shade of green, it’s not hard to see how Kauai earned the nickname “the Garden Isle.” Only about 20 percent of the island is accessible by foot or road; the rest is a dense tangle of rugged cliffs, primeval jungle and rain-drenched mountain peaks. Consider taking a helicopter ride for the best views over Kauai’s most remote landscapes.

But there’s plenty to do on land, too. Drive to the western part of the island where lookout points and hiking trails offer spectacular views into Waimea Canyon, a deep and colorful gorge that’s often compared to the Grand Canyon. Just up the road is Koke’e State Park, where you can gaze out over Kauai’s distinctive Napali Coast and the pristine Kalalau Valley. Another must-see spot is the North Shore. Here you’ll find Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, home to albatrosses and red-footed boobies, and Kauapea Beach (otherwise known as Secret Beach), a vast, unspoiled stretch of golden sand accessible via a short downhill hike.

Where to stay: Those looking for a resort experience should try the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa, which offers multiple restaurants, a golf course, a massive pool area (including a lagoon and a lazy river), and a great location right on the beach. A more affordable option is the family-owned Garden Island Inn in Lihue, with 21 rooms featuring kitchenettes and freshly cut tropical flowers from the hotel’s own gardens. The beach is a short walk away.

The Napali coast on the north shore of Kauai. One of the iconic shots from the island, which sadly, tourists will only be able to see via boat or helicopter for the immediate future. The spring floods washed away the road to visit. Jefferson Grahan

Wailua Falls is the easiest waterfall in Kauai to find, a few miles off the road and one of the few that offer the ability to see from the top. Here, the falls are unuaully brown and filled with rain water. Jefferson Grahan

The historic Hanalei Pier is a major spot for fishing enthusiasts and parents to watch their kids surfing. Due to the spring floods, roads are closed to cars, but you can still get there by foot. Jefferson Grahan

Lanai sees only a tiny fraction of the tourists that visit the four best-known islands, and that’s part of its appeal. For much of the 20th century, the island was used exclusively for pineapple farming by the Dole company, but these days the main source of income for Lanai is its small but growing tourism industry. About 98 percent of the island — including its two Four Seasons resorts — is owned by billionaire Larry Ellison.

Apart from relaxing on Lanai’s uncrowded beaches, travelers can visit the Lanai Cat Sanctuary to see what the staff playfully calls “Hawaiian lions,” check out the galleries and boutiques in Lanai City, relax on serene Hulopoe Beach, or hike the 12.8-mile Munro Trail to Lanaihale, the island’s highest point.

Best for: Well-heeled travelers looking for an exclusive escape and day trippers from Maui (via the Lanai Ferry).

Where to stay: The recently renovated Four Seasons Resort Lanai offers oceanfront opulence and seclusion, complete with a spa, 18-hole golf course, limo service and a Nobu restaurant. Non-Four Seasons options on Lanai are few and far between, but the 1920s-era Hotel Lanai offers 11 simple, attractive rooms.

Head to the source in the town that lends them their name for a wide range of specialty brews that don’t make it to the mainland. Here you’ll get a sense of brewmaster Ryan McVeigh’s inventive approach to beer making. Kona Brewing Company

Down the street from the original brewpub, construction has started on a larger facility slated to open by 2018. Satisfying the company’s dedication to sustainability, the new operation incorporates advanced water conservation in addition to solar and biogas energy to help supplement resource needs. Kona Brewing Company

Although it’s now common practice in the industry, Maui Brewing Company was among the first craft breweries to embrace canning, just more than a decade ago. This allowed owner Garrett Marrero to avoid the steep tariff imposed upon empty bottles shipped into the state. The durable packaging also helped protect his core line of products on the long journey across the ocean, allowing them to eventually reach a global audience. Maui Brewing Company

Now fans return the favor, flocking thousands of miles to see where one of their favorite beers was birthed. And it’s quite a sight, indeed. Maui Brewing’s new 42,000-square-foot facility on the island’s leeward shore is less than a mile removed from the turquoise surf of Maalaea Bay. Maui Brewing Company

Forty five-minute tours are offered daily for $15, which earns you a souvenir glass and a tasting of the flagships, including Pineapple Mana Wheat, Big Swell IPA and Iwa Porter — brewed with real coconut. Maui Brewing Company

For a wider range of offerings head up the road to visit the brewpub in Lahaina. Visitors to Oahu can now quench their thirst at a satellite outpost in Waikiki, and by 2018, at a third location planned for Kailua. Maui Brewing Company

Kohola Brewery might be the new kid on the block, but this one-year-old startup named after the Hawaiian word for whale, is already making a big splash. The Lokahi Pilsner took home a medal at last year’s Great American Beer Festival in Denver, beating out big name breweries in a fiercely competitive category. Sample that as well as nine more selections at the brewery and tasting room in Lahaina — the former space of Maui Brewing. Kohola Brewery

When Kauai Beer Company opened its doors in Lihue, it was more than just a boon to Kauai’s fledgling craft beer scene, it helped revitalize an entire downtown. With the decline of the sugarcane industry at the end of the ‘90s, shops had shuttered and tourists largely avoided the area. Jim Guerber and his son Justin gave travelers two great reasons to visit: great beer and tasty grub. Kauai Beer Company

That was in 2013. Today the brewpub is as much a local fixture as it is a tourist attraction, offering an island take on classic German styles such as Black Limousine, a Bavarian schwarzbier with a dark color and lighter body, and Honey Lager, crafted with flaked corn and local honey. Kauai Beer Company

You might expect local brews to populate the menu at more casual settings such as the poolside bar or the Burger Shack, set directly on the beach. But even the most elegant food and beverage areas here pour custom beer, brewed specifically for the hotel. Don Riddle

It’s a vibrant offering balancing the flavors of bitter hops and Calamansi peel, with fresh pineapple, guava and ruby red grapefruit. In the land of parasol-garnished tropical cocktails, it’s well on its way to becoming a staple beverage. The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua

With 37 selections on tap and more than 250 bottles, “REAL a gastropub” easily distinguishes itself as one of the biggest craft beer bars in all of Hawaii. But quantity isn’t the whole story. It’s what they serve, the fine fare its paired with, and the knowledgeable staff serving it all that crowns this Honolulu hot spot as king of the gastropub. REAL a gastropub

One thing you won’t need help with is devouring their legendary duck confit corn dogs; just the right amount of crisped cornmeal coating enveloping juicy poultry, dipped together into a house-made Guinness mustard. REAL a gastropub

The husband-and-wife-run operation is highlighted by barrel-aged beers and an inviting taproom, weaving repurposed barnyard charm into the industrial trappings of a functional brewhouse. They excel at esoteric styles heretofore underserved by the local scene. Honolulu Beerworks

Here you can swig on Southern Cross, a unique double red ale with notes of toffee and citrus, or the crushable kolsch — a dependable warm-weather refresher. There’s nothing flashy about the space, it’s an unapologetically frill-free waystation for growler fills and six packs on your way to world-class beaches just up the road. Mehana Brewing Company

While they don’t technically make beer at all, Nani Moon’s status as the first mead maker in Hawaii is enough to attract craft enthusiasts. It also helps that what they’re crafting is delicious, and overflowing in indigenous flavor. Nani Moon Meadery

Mead is the oldest fermented beverage in recorded history, typically made from honey, with an alcohol content punched up closer to wine than beer. Stephanie Krieger began fermenting the beverage out of her Kauai garage in 2000. It took some 10 years for the hobby to blossom into successful business. The local drinking scene is sweeter as a result. Nani Moon Meadery

The only Hawaiian island that sees fewer visitors than Lanai is Molokai, which feels like the island that time forgot. The pace of life is slow, there are no big resorts or traffic lights, and the mostly Native Hawaiian locals still embrace a simple, laid-back lifestyle. “If you want a place where you can sit on the beach by yourself and have no one talk to you, Molokai might be the best bet,” one recent visitor told me.

Molokai’s most unique attraction is Kalaupapa National Historical Park, a remote part of the island where people with Hansen’s disease (leprosy) were once sent to isolate them from the rest of the Hawaiian population. You can now reach the park only via mule ride, hike or plane. The island also has numerous uncrowded beaches, including Papohaku, a three-mile stretch of white sand. Take a guided hike through the stunning Halawa Valley to learn about local history and see one of the island’s most impressive waterfalls.

Best for: Outdoorsy travelers, those looking for off-the-beaten-path experiences, and people who want to get away from it all.

Where to stay: Accommodations on the island are limited. Hotel Molokai is the best of the bunch, offering comfortable rooms (some with air conditioning, some cooled only by the trade winds) as well as a pool and golf course. The condos at Ke Nani Kai are another good option, though past guests report that some units feel dated.

We all know Maui and Oahu, but chances are you aren’t that familiar with the little island of Molokai about 8 miles away from Maui. It is almost untouched by tourism. (Produced and shot by Leah Murr and Sarah Sekula)
Sarah Sekula and Leah Murr for USA TODAY